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Scorsese-Inspired Art Exhibit Brings Gritty New York to Chelsea

By Mathew Katz | April 19, 2013 7:46am

CHELSEA — For one weekend, a gallery in Chelsea will be transformed into the gritty New York of director Martin Scorsese.

San Francisco's Spoke Art Gallery will bring its film-centric art to Chelsea's Bold Hype for a weekend-long celebration of the "Mean Street" director's work starting Friday.

More than 70 artists from around the world have created sculptures, paintings and screen prints showing iconic scenes and characters from films like "Raging Bull," "Gangs of New York," and "The Departed," along with portraits of the filmmaker himself.

"If you love movies and you love New York, you have to be a Martin Scorsese fan," said Ken Harman, Spoke Art's curator, who is in town this week to set up the show.

"He's New York's unofficial biographer in my personal opinion."

Harman said he hoped to attract movie buffs in town for the Tribeca Film Festival, but that Scorsese himself — who has been invited — might not be able to make it because of his busy festival schedule.

"We've been in touch with folks from his office," Harman said. "If he came, that would make the whole event for us."

Spoke Art has hosted several other artistic tributes to famous directors, including an annual tribute to Wes Anderson and a 2010 show featuring works inspired by Quentin Tarantino and the Coen brothers.

Harman said he's impressed by the work the artists submitted for the show, but could not name the top tribute.

"Trying to pick your favorite is like trying to pick your favorite Scorsese movie — it's hard," he said.

Guests are invited to the show's launch party Friday at 6 p.m., with free drinks and stirring Scorsese conversation. The first 100 will also get a complimentary limited-edition screen print by Joshua Budich.

Scorsese: An Art Show Tribute runs from April 19 - 21 at the Bold Hype gallery, 547 W.27th St., from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free.